The 100-foot-tall bronze statue of the Greek sun god Helios, towering over the Rhodians in the third century, was among the tallest structures in the world when it was built in 280 B.C. Despite crumbling in an earthquake a half-century later, the statue's memory stood the test of time; it was named one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, along with the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and the statue of Zeus at Olympia. Now an ambitious team of young professionals (architects, archeologists, economists, and civil engineers) from across Europe have teamed up to fund a project that will be part museum, part library, and part monument to humanity. They would like to resurrect the Colossus of Rhodes.

Resembling something more like the statue guarding Braavos in HBO's Game of Thrones, the new Colossus will dwarf its predecessor, standing 500 feet tall. It will be covered in solar panels that will power a visitor’s center, library, exhibition hall, and lighthouse.

Florence, Italy

Florence was, of course, the birthplace of Renaissance architecture, and the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore—better known as the Duomo, or cathedral—is the style's apotheosis. Clad in polychrome marble and topped with its iconic brick dome by Filippo Brunelleschi in 1436, the Duomo has seen everything from 15th-century local government sessions to the attempted murder of Lorenzo de' Medici in 1478.

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Ålesund, Norway

When a terrible fire in 1904 razed much of the Norwegian city of Ålesund, the town was rebuilt with a modern look, with Art Nouveau being the style of the period. The city is now a time capsule of sinuous lines, turrets and spires, and floral elements. In 2003, an Art Nouveau Center was created to chronicle this architectural period's influence on the city; it's located in the former Swan Pharmacy building.

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Istanbul, Turkey

As the former capital of the Byzantine Empire, Istanbul is ground zero for architecture from this medieval period, and the Basilica Cistern—a cathedral-like underground structure, propped up by hundreds of repurposed Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns—is one of the most fascinating examples. Built in the sixth century by the Emperor Justinian and served by an aqueduct, the cistern provided water to Sultanahmet through Ottoman rule and into modern times. Today, you can walk along its aisles and watch giant carp swimming in the depths.

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Hanoi, Vietnam

Built over a 10-year period in beginning in 1901, and modeled on the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris, the magnificent Hanoi Opera House is one of many fine French Colonial buildings in the Vietnamese capital. Though built under French rule, it was a pivotal location in the 1945 August Revolution, and today is home to the National Symphony Orchestra as well as the Vietnam National Opera Ballet.

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Cusco, Peru

Its elaborate façade with twin bell-towers and soaring dome makes this 17th-century Peruvian Jesuit church one of the most sublime examples of the Spanish baroque style —and even outdoes the neighboring cathedral. Inside, it's just as ornate, with the altar covered entirely in gold leaf.

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Washington, D.C.

Domed roofs, triangular pediments and mighty columns, all arranged in tight symmetry: Imposing neoclassical buildings really ramp up the sense of power on Capitol Hill. Begun in 1793, the United States Capitol building was modeled—on Thomas Jefferson's instructions—on an ancient temple, while the dome, and House and Senate Wings, were added subsequently.

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Moscow, Russia

One of the iconic Seven Sisters, seven colossal Stalinist skyscrapers that ring the center of Moscow, the Hotel Ukraina opened in 1957 on the bank of the Moskva River. Now a Radisson Royal hotel, it sits opposite the Russian White House, a Cold War era building that's home to the Russian prime minister.

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Napier, New Zealand

In 1931, an earthquake on New Zealand's North Island razed much of Napier to the ground. Like Ålesund, the city rebuilt itself in the style of the time, which happened to be Art Deco. Approximately 140 of the buildings remain, but the jewel in the crown is the Daily Telegraph Building. Formerly a newspaper office, and now a real estate agent, it's closed to the public, though guided walks by the Napier Art Deco Trust will get you inside.

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Beijing, China

The culmination of classical Chinese and East Asian architecture, the sprawling Forbidden City (made up of 980 buildings and more than 9,000 rooms) served as China's imperial palace from 1406 until 1910. Even now, its Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings serve as the bar by which all subsequent Chinese architecture is measured.

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London, UK

The blue-tinged, soaring arches of St. Pancras—home to the Eurostar trains which connect Britain to the Continent—are among the most stellar examples of Victorian architecture. Known as 'the Barlow Shed' for its architect, William Henry Barlow, the station is also home to the St. Pancras Renaissance, whose red-brick Gothic façade was designed by George Gilbert Scott. Some of its suites look directly over the platforms.

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Like the rest of Greece, the ancient city of Rhodes has been hit hard by the financial crisis, and in many ways this project is a response to that. It is meant to serve as an inspiration to a new generation whose futures are uncertain—a rallying point of sorts. According to the Colussus of Rhodes Project website, the main task is to make Rhodes a new reference point for the world. The projected $250-million project would take 3–4 years to complete and provide construction jobs and employment in the tourism sector; the hope is that the Colossus will have a ripple effect on the local economy to the tune of €2 billion annually.

Ambitious, no? The project is still in its conceptual phase, and may end up being one of the biggest global crowd-funding events we've known; the Colossus team is also considering raising money through Greek and foreign investors and cultural philanthropists. Might be worth asking the Game of Thrones crew if they also need a set piece for seasons 6 and 7...